Neoclassical Busts
NEOCLASSICAL STYLE
Neoclassical design emerged in Europe in the 1750s, as the Age of Enlightenment reached full flower. Neoclassical furniture took its cues from the styles of ancient Rome and Athens: symmetrical, ordered, dignified forms with such details as tapered and fluted chair and table legs, backrest finials and scrolled arms.
Over a period of some 20 years, first in France and later in Britain, neoclassical design — also known as Louis XVI, or Louis Seize — would supersede the lithe and curvaceous Rococo or Louis XV style.
The first half of the 18th century had seen a rebirth of interest in classical antiquity. The "Grand Tour" of Europe, codified as a part of the proper education of a patrician gentleman, included an extended visit to Rome. Some ventured further, to sketch the ruins of ancient Greece. These drawings and others — particularly those derived from the surprising and rich archaeological discoveries in the 1730s and ’40s at the sites of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum — caused great excitement among intellectuals and aesthetes alike.
Neoclassical furniture is meant to reflect both grace and power. The overall appearance of neoclassical chairs, tables and cabinetry is strong and rectilinear. These pieces are, in effect, classical architecture in miniature: chair and table legs are shaped like columns; cabinets are constructed with elements that mirror friezes and pediments.
Yet neoclassicism is enlivened by gilt and silver leaf, marquetry, and carved and applied ornamental motifs based on Greek and Roman sculpture: acanthus leaves, garlands, laurel wreaths, sheaves of arrow, medallions and chair splats are carved in the shapes of lyres and urns. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.
As you can see from the furniture on these pages, there is a bit of whimsy in such stately pieces — a touch of lightness that will always keep neoclassicism fresh.
Find antique neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.
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Style: Neoclassical
Limoges France, Biscuit Child Bust, Stand with Dark Blue Glaze, Classic Style
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Limoges France. Biscuit child bust. Stand with dark blue glaze.
Classic style. Early 20th century.
Measures: 13.5 x 7 cm.
In excellent condition.
Stam...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Ceramic
$320 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century Large Italian Marble Bust of Caesar Augustus
Located in Dublin 8, IE
18th Century Italian Marble Bust of Caesar Augustus. His draped robe is hand-carved in red rosso levanto marble with the face modelled in contrasting white Carrara marble. The piece ...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble, Carrara Marble
Marble Busts of Roman. Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
Marble Busts of Roman on pedestal. Early 19th Century
Category
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Antique Italian Neoclassical Carrara Marble Bust of Daphne, Apollo's First Love
Located in New York, NY
A fabulously hand carved antique neoclassical style Italian Carrara marble bust of Daphne. This bust is of immaculate quality and craftsmanship. Daphne's hair is beautifully hand car...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
American Marble Bust Sculpture of Classical Woman by Joseph Mozier ca. 1851
By Joseph Mozier
Located in Shippensburg, PA
JOSEPH MOZIER
United States, 1812-1870
Bust of a Classical Young Woman (1851)
Carved Cararra marble Signed to the reverse "J. MOZIER, Sc: ROME 1851"
Item # 406QSO30A
A stunningl...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
Vintage Plaster Composite Bust of Shakespeare
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this plaster composite bust of William Shakespeare dates from the 1970s. Built in pedestal display stand. Unknown maker. Very good vintage condition with minor scat...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Other
Antique Italian Neoclassical Carved Alabaster Bust C1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Italian Neoclassical Carved Alabaster Bust C1900
Measures - 3.75"H x 4.25"W x 2.25"D
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Alabaster
$280 Sale Price
20% Off
Bust of David by Stone International, 1992
Located in Chicago, IL
A monumental Italian bust of David sculpture designed by Stone International in 1992. Crafted from metal with a plaster finish, this piece is a...
Category
1990s Italian Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Stone
Plaster Wall Hanging Bust of Lucius Verus After the Antique
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A dramatic early 20th century Grand Tour style plaster wall hanging bust of Lucius Verus, co-emperor of ancient Rome from 161-169 alongside his adoptive brother, Marcus Aurelius.
Af...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Plaster
Large Bust of the Pieta, Ralph Wood Jr, circa 1790
By Ralph Wood Pottery
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
A large and impressive bust, taken from Michelangelo’s Pietà. Creamware, modelled and made by Ralph Wood, with enamelling.
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Earthenware
Large Classical Bust Old Man with Beard Plaster 50cm
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful large bust of an old man with a long beard, made of plaster, after an old example, circa late 20th, early 21st century.
Characterful bust, very nicely made with beautiful ...
Category
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Plaster
English Antique Marble Bust “Lady Layard” by John Warrington Wood ca. 1870
Located in Shippensburg, PA
JOHN WARRINGTON WOOD
British, 1839-1886
Bust of a Woman, almost certainly depicting Lady Layard (1870)
Carrara marble signed to the reverse "WARRINGTON WOOD SCULPT ROMA 1870"
Item # 405UGP17Q
A very finely carved marble bust that almost certainly depicts Lady Layard (British, 1843-1912) at 27 years of age. While the bust is not titled, John Warrington Wood had a relationship with the family, first sculpting Lady Mary Enid Evelyn Layard's husband and cousin Henry Austin Layard the year before in London in 1869. Wood exhibited that bust at the Royal Academy in 1870 and the same year Lady Layard would have sat down with him in Rome for the completion of this bust. Interestingly, Henry Layard decided he did not like the bust that was completed of him and eventually re-commissioned Wood to complete the bust again 12 years later in 1881, that example held in the permanent collection of The National Gallery in London. The same year, John Warrington Wood executed a second bust of Lady Layard that is held in the permanent collection of the British Museum of Art (acc. no. OA.10557). It is interesting to view the painting completed by Vicente Palmaroli y González...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
19th Century Bronze Bust of Homer
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century bronze bust of Homer attributed to the Chiurazzi Foundry, Naples, Italy. Homer was author of the epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Category
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
Holkham Hall Portrait Bust of Marcus Claudius Marcellus
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A mid 19th century plaster portrait bust of 3rd century BC Roman general and politician, Marcus Claudius Marcellus (270-208 BC), ex. Holkham Hall, Norfolk. Inscribed to the front of ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Plaster
19th Century Italian Neoclassical Style Torso, Antique Carrara Marble Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Italian torso of a Roman male in hand carved Carrara marble and mounted onto a black marble base, in good condition. The Italian décor represe...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
Large Marble Bust of a Modern Music Goddess
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a large rose beige marble bust of a modern music goddess. She has abundant wavy hair arranged to the side. Her head is tilted to the same side of the hair while she is looking d...
Category
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
$4,400 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Alabaster Fredrick the Great and Napoleon Busts
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Continental German (19th/20th Cent) alabaster busts of Fredrick the Great and Napoleon raised on green marble column bases (by Fritz Kochendorfer...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Large Ormolu Bust of Julius Caesar, Emperor of Rome
Located in London, GB
This remarkable ormolu bust of the iconic Roman Emperor Julius Caesar is the epitome of neoclassical style design, and was originally intended as an overdoor decoration. Overdoors - ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Ormolu, Bronze
Italian Neoclassic Style Bronze Poseidon Bust
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Neo-classic style cast bronze Poseidon bust with black metal stand (19th Cent).
Category
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Pair of Grand Tour Marble Medallions of Roman Emperors
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of two Grand Tour marble oval medallions depicting the portraits of Roman emperors, reclaimed from an ex private British collection.
Dating to the 19th century, the detailed e...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble, Statuary Marble
19th Century Neoclassical Marble Thorwaldsen Bust
Located in Berlin, DE
Great Thorwaldsen bust.
Marble figure of the sculptor Thorwaldsen
Extremely expressive characterization, which, in an extraordinary detail, also reflects the facial expressions of hi...
Category
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Stone, Marble
$23,755 Sale Price
20% Off
Barbedienne Bronze Washington Bust
Located in Queens, NY
Life size bronze bust of George Washington on square shaped black marble base (signed BARBEDIENNE) 19th Cent.
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Two Tone Classical Style Marble Bust on White Marble Base
Located in Southall, GB
A attractive two coloured marble Classical style bust on a black marble stand. The carving is well done with clear features, depicting gently cascading...
Category
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
$5,231 Sale Price
20% Off
Neo-Classic Bronze Toga Man Bust
Located in Queens, NY
Neo-classic style bronze bust of bald man in toga on square shaped base (sgnd: Buenos Aires 1911)
Category
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
Italian Black Bronze Flora Bust, Marble, Neoclassical
Located in Valladolid, ES
Exceptional bust of a woman, probably made in 19th century Italy, in patinated bronze, and following a neoclassical style. The head of "Flora" appears resting on a quadrangular base ...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$2,088 Sale Price
50% Off
Italian Carved Marble Bust of Ajax
By Bernini
Located in Atlanta, GA
A magnificent Carrara marble bust of Ajax. Exquisite rendering of the Greek hero featuring elaborate helmet. On an associated square base.
After Gian Lorenzo Bernini...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
D. Brucciani (1815 – 1880) Antique Plaster Bust of Venus
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A mid-late 19th century antique plaster bust of Venus, Roman goddess of love and beauty, or her Greek counterpart, Aphrodite. This bust is signed ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Plaster, Paint
Antique Marble Bust of Venus
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique over life-size bust of Venus. Thanks to her scale, this Neoclassical style handcarved marble sculpture of Venus, Roman goddess of love and beauty, is very striking. Charac...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble, Statuary Marble
$17,615
Parisian Male Apollo Torso
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Large Apollo Torso
Sourced from Paris, France, by Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Fitted with Mount and original hand-painting
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Epoxy Resin
18th C. French Marble Bust of Dancer Marie-Madeleine Guimard, Antoinette Style
Located in Madrid, ES
This expressive 18th century marble portrait bust is of Marie-Madeleine Guimard (1743-1816), a successful dancer and one of the most famous courtesans of pre-Revolutionary France. The bust is unsigned, but identical to one in the collection of London's V&A museum carved...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
$16,464 Sale Price
24% Off
Italian Painted Roman Emperor Bust
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Neo-Classic style (19/20th Cent) faux painted composition bust of a Roman Emperor wearing a red toga and mounted on a black square base.
Category
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Paint
Wedgwood Black Basalt Bust of Mercury
By John Flaxman
Located in New Orleans, LA
In this expertly rendered black basalt bust, Mercury, the fleet-footed Roman god of commerce, communication and transport, is depicted in a winged h...
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Ceramic
Italian Neoclassic Style Bronze Poseidon Bust
Located in Queens, NY
Italian neoclassic style cast bronze Poseidon bust with black metal stand (19th century).
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
Plaster Bust by Charles Filleul – Mustached Man, 20th Century.
Located in NANTES, FR
Studio Bust by Charles Filleul – Mustached Man, Early 20th Century
This studio bust, in plaster or terracotta, was crafted by Charles Filleul and originates directly from his worksh...
Category
20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Plaster
A Pair 19th Century Italian Hand-Carved Carrara Marble Busts of Apollo & Artemis
Located in New York, NY
An Outstanding Pair 19th Century Italian Hand-Carved Carrara Marble Busts of Apollo & Artemis, One Bust is Signed on the Back, "F Vichi". This pair of stunning marble busts, hand-car...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
Bust in the Antique Style by Ch. Filleul, Patinated Studio Plaster, 20th Century
Located in NANTES, FR
This bust is a studio plaster piece made by Charles Filleul. It is a patinated plaster mounted on a wooden cube. It is a 20th-century work.
Regarding condition, please note some dam...
Category
20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Plaster
Plaster sculpture by Charles Filleul, bust of a Renaissance man.
Located in NANTES, FR
This plaster studio bust was created by Charles Filleul (1856–1907). Please note that it is likely a preparatory work for a larger bronze statue.
The patina is original and untouche...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Plaster
Terracotta sculpture, Charles Filleul workshop, bust of a child.
Located in NANTES, FR
This terracotta sculpture originates from the workshop of Charles Filleul. It features a patinated finish and is a finely crafted modeling, mounted on a wooden base.
Please note som...
Category
20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Italian Painted Roman Emperor Bust
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Neo-Classic style (19/20th Cent) faux painted composition bust of a Roman Emperor wearing a red toga and mounted on a black square base.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Paint
A most impressive bronze bust of a 1920s South American gentleman.
Located in Central England, GB
This most unusual almost life sized heavily cast bronze bust depicts a very smart most likely South American gentleman dressed in a double breasted suit jacket with a shirt and tie. ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Bronze
Neoclassical Style Male Marble Torso
Located in Southall, GB
Handsomely hand carved marble male torso in white marble. The body is contoured and defined twisted into a classically inspired pose that emphasises ...
Category
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
$936 Sale Price
20% Off
Blue John Bust of a Roman Emperor Gilt and Blue John Stand
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Blue John bust of a Roman Emperor with gilt metal and Blue John Stand
Date : 20th century
Origin : Most likely carved in Cornwall
Decoration : In the form of a Roman Empero...
Category
1920s British Vintage Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Stone
18th Century Terracotta Bust of Girl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully detailed. Hand sculpted terracotta on original marble plinth.
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
A Patinated Bronze Bust of Lucius Verus
Located in 263-0031, JP
Lucius Verus was Co-Emperor with Marcus Aurelius during the first nine years of Marcus’ reign. A handsome guy, his image became popular during and after his imperial days. This bust ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble, Bronze
$3,984 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Marble Statue of the Sleeping Ariadne
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This late Georgian antique marble statue is after the antique, depicting a scale fragment of the eminent 2nd century statue ‘Sleeping Ariadne’. C...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble, Statuary Marble
French Plaster Dark Hermès Bust
Located in New York, NY
A finely cast plaster bust depicting Hermès (Mercury), modeled after a 4th-century BC Greek original.
The head is crisply detailed—tight curls, subtly parted lips, and a confident d...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Plaster
French Plaster Bust of a Classical Youth
Located in New York, NY
Cast in finely textured plâtre (plaster) with the soft, porous surface of quarried stone, this mid-century French bust captures the serene idealism of a 4th-century BC Greek original...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Plaster
Two 18th Century Italian Marble Emperor Busts
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of mid 18th century Italian marble busts depicting the Roman Emperors Augustus and Nero.
Also known as Octavian, Augustus was the first Roman Emperor and founder of the Roman...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
French Marble Bust of Louis XIV, the Sun King
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Louis XIV, known as Louis the Great or Le Roi Soleil (Sun King) was a monarch who reigned as king of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. His reign of 72...
Category
20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
French Sevres Bust of Alexandre Brongiart, early 20th cen.
Located in Atlanta, GA
cast in white bisque porcelain by the Sevres company and depicting Alexandre Brongiart as a boy, after sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon, the original having been sculpted in the late 18t...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
Carrara Marble Sculpture "Schiava" Attributed to Giacomo Ginotti, Italy, C. 1890
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Carrara marble sculpture "Schiava" attributed to Giacomo Ginotti (1845-1897). Italy, late 19th Century.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
French Gilt Bronze and Marble Bust Sculpture by Gory
Located in London, GB
This elegant bust of a young woman was created by the acclaimed sculptor, Affortunato Gory (Italian, fl. 1895-1925). Affortunato Gory (also known as Fortunato Gory) studied under the...
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Gilt Bronze and White Marble Bust of a Woman by Gory
Located in London, GB
This charming sculpture of a young woman is the work of the accomplished Italian-born sculptor, Affortunato Gory (1895-1925). Gory is best-known for his sculptures of women and child...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Italian Marble Bust of Socrates
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century Italian Marble bust of the Classical Greek philosopher Socrates. His draped robe is hand-carved in red Scagliola with the face modelled in contrasting white Carrara marb...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
Marble Bust of La Zingara, circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Bust of the Zingara or Fortune Teller, finely carved out of marble. The Zingara is depicted with a cloth tied around her chin, which wraps around her elaborately braided hair and end...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Neoclassical Style Male Marble Torso
Located in Southall, GB
A carefully hand-carved male marble torso, with defined muscles. Beautifully realised, this piece would look great as part of a collection, or on its own.
Category
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
$936 Sale Price
20% Off
Neoclassical Marble Sculpture Bust After Joseph Chinard
By Joseph Chinard
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical marble sculpture bust after Joseph Chinard
French, late 19th century
Measures: Height 65cm, width 34cm, depth 55cm
Portraying Madame R...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Multi Coloured Marble Bust In The classical Style
Located in Southall, GB
A very attractive multi coloured marble male bust on a black stand. The carving is crisp and precise with lots of detail to the hair, features and bear...
Category
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
$6,057 Sale Price
20% Off
Italian Neoclassical Roman Emperor Hadrian Robed Marble Bust on Pedestal, C 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian Neoclassical Roman Emperor Hadrian robed marble bust resting on circular tiered marble pedestal. Mid 19th Century
Category
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
Handsome Two Colour Marble Male Bust On Black Marble Stand
Located in Southall, GB
A handsome green and white marble male bust, on a black marble stand. A intricately detailed and imposing male marble bust with elaborate carvings to ...
Category
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Busts
Materials
Marble
$4,956 Sale Price
20% Off
Neoclassical busts for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical busts for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage busts created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, building and garden elements, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, marble and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical busts made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original busts, popular names associated with this style include Affortunato Gory, Antonio Frilli, Camille Tharaud, and Copeland. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for busts differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $400 and tops out at $75,000 while the average work can sell for $4,450.